Monday, October 3, 2011

Toronto Beer Week continued ...

In continuation to my last post, I was lucky enough to attend a few more events.

'The Indie Alehouse' brewery launch at 'The Burger Bar' (my new local bar!)  where they showcased their Instigator Pale Ale: west coast style IPA and their Leadership Qualities: Breakfast Porter both which were a stellar start to this new brewery and a sign of great things to come.

Next up was the 'Toronto Beer Week Pub Crawl' where I joined the group of revellers at 'The Victory Cafe' for a quick pint of Spearhead Hawaiian Pale Ale before moving on the brand new premises of 'Smokeless Joes' - what a treat it was. The boys over at Joes opened their doors a few days early specifically to accommodate us.  With a great tap line up and a great new space, things are looking very bright.

The new Smokeless Joes


Finally it was over to Bar Volo for the 3rd annual Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! Tap take over where there was no less than 12 taps and 7 Dieu Du Ciel! products available. Volo was packed to the rafters and had a special licence to open to 0400hrs and although I was in slumberland by midnight, I heard it was packed until closing.

Although this year I didn't attend as many events as last year I still had an absolute blast. The Toronto beer scene has exploded in my 3.5 years in Canada, I can't wait to see what the future holds.











Some of my choices during the DDC tap take over

















































































Monday, September 19, 2011

Toronto Beer Week 2011

Spurned by my good pal Greg Clow's post over on his popular blog beerboozebites.com regarding this years Toronto Beer Week I decided to put my own two cents in.

My first event in this huge itinerary of madness was the 'Barrel Bragging Rights' event over at 'The Monks Table' where a group of Toronto beer writers and bloggers teamed with local breweries to make some barrel aged/cask brews to be judged blindly by the thirsty public. Entrance fee was $25 and included unlimited samples and finger food. The kegs involved were somewhat small so some of the more popular beers disappeared quickly however there was plenty to go around. The winner was Chris Grimley from 'Beer with me TO' who partnered with Great Lakes to make a delicious Saison. My personal favourite was Toronto Star's columnist  Josh Rubin who paired with Black Creek brewery they made a milk stout aged in a bourbon barrel and infused with vanilla pods (I think)

As Greg mentions in his review of the event; Greg, Josh (Rubin) and I headed to The Rebel House for a pint and a bite to eat. The two old farts  timers went home and I carried on and kept it lit with some Dieu du Ciel - Peche Mortel at Bar Volo with a few of the remaining people still standing from the event.

All in all it was an enjoyable event and hopefully if I keep my blogging up I might be considered for next years event.  I shall update the blog as I attend various sessions.




Here's a jumpy video I took of the event.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Is Féidir linn

Honestly, I didn't really give President Obama's visit to Ireland a second thought... living in Canada we're used to having the gentleman on our doorstep. I'm not sure why but something prompted me to turn on the Irish news coverage this morning (rte.ie) and to say I was overwhelmed is a serious understatement.

The public showing of joy and excitement was something the Irish public were long overdue. Seeing the President and Michelle in the tiny village of Moneygall, getting out of their car and openly embracing the public (much to the horror of the secret service it seems) was a tremendous sight. Their entrance to Ollies bar and the enjoyment of a pint of Guinness was just a pinnacle moment in the Presidents visit.. there was nothing rehearsed, nothing condescending , just a genuine chap enjoying a genuine moment in an Irish pub. His jokes and congeniality were infectious.

Fast forward to the Dublin appointment, my opinion of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny smashed through the roof with his animated and passionate speech... yes, the grumps said he was OTT and 'annoying' but damnit, I thought he was genuine and uplifting, just what the country needs now. Obama himself was a joy to listen to, I wept with emotion at home in Toronto and would have given anything to be there for this historic Irish moment.


Ireland truly put itself back on the world map today. We did ourselves proud. Bravo. Bravo...



Thursday, April 28, 2011

Goodbye to Michael Scott

Wow,

What a poignant and fitting end to Michael Scott's reign at Dunder Mifflin - I was an absolute mess watching it. I can't imagine the series continuing much longer without him. We've seen Michael grow immensely over the past few years and to see him move to Colorado to be with Holly seemed to mark his arrival to maturity.

Michael (Steve) you'll be sorely missed.


Saturday, February 19, 2011

The other love of my life

Here he is, my little boy Cian. Handsome or what?


Points update

Well,

Week two of Weight Watchers, I didn't hit it out of the ballpark like last week but I did manage to lose 2lbs. So that's just about 10lbs in two weeks...... 30 more to go!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Points Points Points...

Well folks, after the birth of our baby boy last June our schedule has been upside-down, therefore there's been a LOT of take-out food and a lot of beer ;-) add that to Christmas and a three week trip to Ireland in Jan and you've got one BFF (big fat fcuker) so I'm back on the Weight Watchers wagon. The last time I did it I lost 54lbs. So after week one of it here in Canada (WITHOUT cutting out beer mind you) I have lost 7.8lbs, my second weigh in is tomorrow morning. Watch this space..

Himself

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Beer lover, Loving Husband and Dad :-) - oh and I'm an expert recruiter